John is a Sepastatzi, born
in New York. His parents were Arshalous & Manase
Chookasezian, who were born in Sepastia (Historic Western
Armenian homeland),
present day Sivas, Turkey. They were
married in New York in 1924.
John has been playing Armenian and Middle East folk music
for over
35 years;
he is the founder and director of the "King Tut Revue"
of Las Vegas, and the "Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble."
John has performed from the Eastern Seaboard, to the West
Coast of the United States. Holding graduate degrees from
the New
York University, College of Music, and from the University
of Nevada, Las Vegas, John taught Music & Ethnic Studies
for three years at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
A dedicated
premier clarinetist, John, along with his wife, Barbara,
and the Chookasian Ensemble, traveled to Armenia by Presidential
invitation, to perform a month-long series of concerts in
Armenia
& Karabagh. During his last 'standing-room-only' concert
in Yerevan's Grand Philharmonic Hall, John was presented with
Armenia's "National Gold Medal Award," by Armenia's
Cultural Minister. In addition to his musical pursuits,
John is an actor who has appeared in 42 film productions
during
his
career. He has appeared with Frank Sinatra, Tony Curtis,
Clint Eastwood, George Burns, Art Carney, Tony Bennett,
Cheryl Ladd,
Robert Urich, and numerous other major artists. John currently
resides in Fresno, California, where he continues with
his mission
of presenting, preserving and perpetuating traditional
Armenian music and culture.